Let The Holiday Fun Begin

Southside Decks Towns For Month Of Reverie

Deck the halls and get your walkin' shoes out. Dust off that holiday spirit and get ready to choose from lots of exciting and interesting holiday events.

There's hardly anything as beautiful as Christmas in Smithfield, and that glorious time of year is here again.

* Throughout the holiday season, starting on Saturday, artists at The Collage, 345 Main St., will be interpreting the spirit of Christmas past, present and future 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

* The Smithfield Jaycees have just the tree to brighten up your holiday and they'll be selling it and others at Smithfield Square Shopping Center on S. Church Street. Santa will be there too, all snuggled up in his own little house, and ready for the children to stop in to make their requests. The Santa House will be open each evening 6 to 9 p.m.

* Santa's going to be a busy guy in Smithfield. The Isle of Wight Men's Organization and Tynes-Edwards & Shivers Funeral Service will host a Santa's House 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 9, 10, 12, 13, 16, 17, 19 & 20 at the Pretlow Center at Cedar and Mason Streets.

HOLDIAY HAPPENINGS

Scheduled events include:

Dec. 3

8 Breakfast with Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus, Angelo's Seafood & Steak House 1804 S. Church St. Two seatings: 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Tickets cost $4 and can be purchased in advance at Ben Franklin, Movie Time and Angelo's Restaurant. Sponsored by the Smithfield Junior Woman's Club

* Tour of Historic Buildings, Smithfield. Visit three historic buildings - St. Luke's Church, the Thomas Blow house and the Goodrich House - and a re-created James River lighthouse, all decorated for the holidays. Saturday: 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday: Noon to 5 p.m. Tickets for the tour of historic buildings must be purchased as part of a $7.50 combination with admission to the antiques show.

* Trolley Shuttle Tour of National Historic District . Trolley stops include Historic District antique dealers, merchants, restaurants and other attractions. Enjoy an informative narrative highlighting Smithfield's fascinating history. Get off and on the trolley as often as you wish. Saturday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday: Noon - 5:30 p.m. Trolley tickets may be purchased separately for $1 for all day or in combination with admission to the antiques show and sale. All trolley shuttles leave from Smithfield High School.

* Candlelight Tours of Thomas Blow House and Goodrich House. Enjoy holiday refreshments in the heart of history. The Thomas Blow House, 352 S. Church St. Goodrich House, 334 S. Church St. Saturday ONLY 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Admission: $2.50 per home or $2.50 for both if purchased with combination ticket for antiques show and trolley tours.

* Brunswick Stew at the Courthouse, The Courthouse of 1750, Main Street. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sponsored by the Smithfield High School PTA.

SUNDAY

* Ecumenical Church Service & Celebration of Carols at Trinity United Methodist Church, 201 Cedar St. 6 to 7 p.m. Admission is free.

* Lighting of the Community Christmas Tree and caroling on the green in front of the Smithfield Times, Main Street. Residents and visitors join in a candlelight walk down Main Street for the tree lighting festivities. 7 to 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.

* Chamber of Commerce/Tourism Open House. Enjoy free cookies and mulled cider at the Courthouse of 1750 and the Old Clerk's Office on Main Street immediately following the Christmas tree lighting.

* Pretlow Center Tree Lighting at Kenneth W. Pretlow Cultural Center, Cedar and Mason Streets, during the second tree lighting of the evening. Enjoy cider and singing on your way to Smithfield Station. 8 p.m. Admission is free.

* Illumination of Boats on the Pagan. Brightly lit sailboats, motor yachts and work boats sparkle in the Pagan River at the Smithfield Station marina. Free cider and ginger snaps! 8:15 p.m.

Dec. 9

* The Dick Barnes Choral Christmas Concert at Benns Church United Methodist Church Family Life Center 8 p.m. Admission is free.

Dec. 10

* Surry County Christmas Parade . Route 31, Dendron. 10 a.m.

* Christmas Parade in the heart of downtown Smithfield. Boats, floats and Santa will be among the highlights of this 100+ unit annual event. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

* York River Concert Band Christmas Concert at The Cotton Gin Theater, Commerce Street. This 40-piece group presents a special evening of holiday music. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. 7:30 p.m.